Trout after doctor visit: It went from 'career is over' to hopefully playing soon

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout received some positive news after a visit with spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins on Thursday; the three-time MVP might be back on the field sooner than originally expected.

"It went from my career is over to hopefully I'm going to play soon,” Trout said, according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. "But it's just one of those things. It's scary. A back injury for a baseball player. You go through stuff. I get it. But you like hearing news from a doctor who knows what he's talking about, and Watkins is one of the best."

Trout was diagnosed with a rare back condition called costovertebral dysfunction at T5, which was causing him discomfort.

Angels head athletic trainer Mike Frostad said the injury could be a long-term issue Trout would have to monitor throughout the rest of his career.

Trout downplayed the long-term effects of the injury. The 10-time All-Star mentioned it had already healed and was confident he would play again this season despite supplying no timetable for his return.

"I'm doing a lot of like a core program, just to strike it up, all the muscles around the area," Trout said of his process to keep his back in good working order. "It feels really good. So just progressing every day. It's basically building up the strength around it. Just keeping the same routine before games. It's pretty much gone right now. It's pretty promising."

The 30-year-old, who is signed until 2031, hasn't played since July 12. He was slashing .270/.368/.599 with 24 home runs and 51 RBIs in 79 games before the Angels placed him on the injured list on July 18.